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Minnesota company helps produce electric-powered firetrucks

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Minnesota company helps produce electric-powered firetrucks


WYOMING, Minn. — The sprawling Rosenbauer campus nestled in Wyoming, Minnesota is filled with hundreds of employees customizing massive rigs that will be sent around the world, but you’ll also find something a little more subtle.

“When we came up with our idea of what we wanted the future to look like this is kind of what we came up with,” demo specialist Zach Paul said.

Their electric-powered firetruck is already on the road in Los Angeles and Vancouver. California and Canada will each get one more, and then it’s Minnesota’s turn. St. Paul will hopefully be the fifth.

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It doesn’t have the rumble of a traditional red rig.

“We get a lot of grief sometimes that this does not look like a normal firetruck. It’s new. It’s different. As soon as they get their hands on this thing, they completely change their mind,” Paul said.

Traditional firetrucks cost anywhere between $900,000 to $1.3 million. The RTX is nearly double at $1.85 million — but it opens up funding options from cities and governments pushing to cut emissions.

MORE NEWS: Minnesota State Troopers make special life-saving delivery

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The sticker price also comes with safety upgrades, like a lower profile height option that Paul says is a game changer.

“It helps firefighters reduce injuries, helps with knee problems, back problems,” Paul said.

Digital mirrors are an important second set of eyes and powerful hose pressure options can help conserve water.

The RTX can go 100-150 miles give or take on a single charge, but if you’re wondering about those busy days when the rig is going from call to call, there’s a backup energy system that’s diesel-powered that can refuel the vehicle so firefighters can keep going.

Paul says the Los Angeles Fire Department can go weeks without refilling their backup diesel supply that recharges the battery on the go — a huge improvement from current standards.

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“We get one-and-a-half to, if we’re lucky, three miles per gallon on a normal firetruck,” Paul said.

Workers in the U.S. put the final finishes on the EV shell that’s made in Europe. But if demand picks up, that could change.

The long-term goal is to have an EV firetruck production facility in Minnesota —  paving a path for more green jobs and a made-in-Minnesota product that can help serve communities and save our warming planet.

Paul says their goal this year is to sell 15 RTX trucks. He estimates there are a dozen on the roads in Europe right now.

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Miinesota’s common loons are genetic cousins to penguins

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Miinesota’s common loons are genetic cousins to penguins


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The common loon, Minnesota’s state bird, is more closely related to a penguin than a duck.

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Despite loons predominantly living in the northern hemisphere and penguins mostly living in the southern hemisphere, researchers consider them to be genetic cousins. Taxonomic analyses placed them in an evolutionary cluster tracing back 40 million to 50 million years ago, along with herons and pelicans. 

While loons and ducks share habitat on Minnesota lakes, they aren’t close relatives. Ducks are closer cousins to geese and swans. 

After sharing a common ancestor, penguins and loons developed distinct characteristics. Loons can fly, but struggle to move on land; penguins can’t fly, but waddle on land. Penguins use flipper-like wings to swim; loons use webbed feet for underwater propulsion.

They have some similar features, however, including dense bones to help dive underwater and their tuxedo coloring.

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Hundreds of Canada wildfires prompt US air quality alerts as smoke spreads south

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Hundreds of Canada wildfires prompt US air quality alerts as smoke spreads south


Fires in the past burned more frequently in western Canada, but recent years have seen that trend migrate eastward, with large fires now burning in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic provinces, Prof Chasmer said, leading to more noticeable smoke in densely populated cities like Toronto and New York.



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Minnesota United Statement on International Friendly | Minnesota United FC

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Minnesota United Statement on International Friendly | Minnesota United FC


Minnesota United, the Liberia Lone Star National Football Team and SARX today announced that the international friendly against the Liberia National Team, scheduled for July 26, 2026, has been canceled.

While we were looking forward to welcoming the Liberia National Team and celebrating the strong ties between Minnesota’s Liberian community and our club, circumstances outside of our control have made it necessary to cancel the match. We appreciate the understanding of our supporters and wish the Liberia National Team all the best.

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Fans who purchased tickets to the match will be refunded within approximately 3-10 business days.





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